Leicaflex SL
Encyclopedia
The Leicaflex SL was a SLR
made by Leitz from 1968 to 1974 as the second iteration of the Leicaflex
series.
In 1968, Leitz responded to the critics of the non-TTL meter of the original Leicaflex
by introducing its successor the Leicaflex SL with a TTL meter. The SL designation in the name was an abbreviation of "Selective Light", the name chosen by Leitz for its implementation of TTL metering. This system metered a limited area represented by the viewfinder's central microprism spot. At a time when SLR manufacturers were divided between those embracing TTL metering at full aperture (such as Nikon
and Konica
, and those with mounts which permitted only stop-down metering (such as Pentax
and Canon), Leitz chose to implement full aperture metering on the Leicaflex SL.
Leitz also addressed complaints about the original Leicaflex focusing screen in the SL focusing screen, which offered a ground-glass focusing screen with a central microprism spot. This more conventional configuration did not prevent it from being very bright and comfortable. In fact, the brightness of the SL viewfinder remains unsurpassed up to the present day.
The Leicaflex SL replaced the mirror lock-up function of the original Leicaflex with a depth of field preview. The principal effect of this change was to obsolete the rangefinder-derived 21mm f/3.4 Schneider Super-Angulon lens which, due to the protrusion of the rear element into the camera body, was designed to work with the mirror locked up in conjunction with an external viewfinder. This lens cannot be mounted on the SL or its followers without mirror lockup. The original Leicaflex Super-Angulon was replaced by the retrofocus type 21mm f/4 Super-Angulon, which can be mounted in the conventional way.
The Leicaflex SL is identifiable by the letters "SL" on the front of the prism housing, which replaced the meter window and battery cover of the original Leicaflex. It was offered in chrome as well as black finish. Black SLs initially bore a black enamel finish, which was subsequently replaced by a more durable "black chrome" finish. 70,995 serial numbers were allotted to the Leicaflex SL.
In 1972, for the Olympic Games in Munich, an edition of 1,000 was made in chrome with special markings (the five rings, the year 72 and a three digit number).
Some Leicaflex SL for the US Navy were engraved NAVY on the bottom plate. They are reported at least in black enamel and black chrome.
On occasions, you can find a dummy Leicaflex SL with a dummy 50mm f/2 Summicron standard lens. This was a display object and demonstration model for retailers, and is called 'Attrappe' in German, which means 'mockup.' They did not have a serial number.
and later cameras, giving rise to "three-cam" lenses. All the lenses are mechanically similar and can mount on older or newer bodies, with a few exceptions, although the older lenses cannot use the full potential of the exposure metering systems and automation offered by the later bodies. To this day, however, Leica and its service agents offer a service to add the second and third cams to older lenses to permit compatibility with more recent reflex models.
SLR
The initialism SLR can refer to:* Satellite laser ranging* Scalable Linear Recording Tape Drive Backup* Self-Loading Rifle, see semi-automatic rifle.** The UK version of the Belgian FN FAL select fire battle rifle, the L1A1 SLR.* Semi-linear resolution...
made by Leitz from 1968 to 1974 as the second iteration of the Leicaflex
Leicaflex
The Leicaflex was the first series of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by Leitz. The Leicaflexes were fully mechanical cameras marketed between 1964 and 1976, in response to the rapid increase in popularity and usability of SLRs during this period...
series.
In 1968, Leitz responded to the critics of the non-TTL meter of the original Leicaflex
Leicaflex
The Leicaflex was the first series of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by Leitz. The Leicaflexes were fully mechanical cameras marketed between 1964 and 1976, in response to the rapid increase in popularity and usability of SLRs during this period...
by introducing its successor the Leicaflex SL with a TTL meter. The SL designation in the name was an abbreviation of "Selective Light", the name chosen by Leitz for its implementation of TTL metering. This system metered a limited area represented by the viewfinder's central microprism spot. At a time when SLR manufacturers were divided between those embracing TTL metering at full aperture (such as Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
and Konica
Konica
was a Japanese manufacturer of, among other products, film, film cameras, camera accessories, photographic and photo-processing equipment, photocopiers, fax machines and laser printers.- History :...
, and those with mounts which permitted only stop-down metering (such as Pentax
Pentax
Pentax is a brand name used by Hoya Corporation for its medical-related products & services and Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company for cameras, sport optics , etc. Hoya purchased and merged with the Japanese optics company on March 31, 2008. Hoya's Pentax imaging business was sold to Ricoh Company, Ltd...
and Canon), Leitz chose to implement full aperture metering on the Leicaflex SL.
Leitz also addressed complaints about the original Leicaflex focusing screen in the SL focusing screen, which offered a ground-glass focusing screen with a central microprism spot. This more conventional configuration did not prevent it from being very bright and comfortable. In fact, the brightness of the SL viewfinder remains unsurpassed up to the present day.
The Leicaflex SL replaced the mirror lock-up function of the original Leicaflex with a depth of field preview. The principal effect of this change was to obsolete the rangefinder-derived 21mm f/3.4 Schneider Super-Angulon lens which, due to the protrusion of the rear element into the camera body, was designed to work with the mirror locked up in conjunction with an external viewfinder. This lens cannot be mounted on the SL or its followers without mirror lockup. The original Leicaflex Super-Angulon was replaced by the retrofocus type 21mm f/4 Super-Angulon, which can be mounted in the conventional way.
The Leicaflex SL is identifiable by the letters "SL" on the front of the prism housing, which replaced the meter window and battery cover of the original Leicaflex. It was offered in chrome as well as black finish. Black SLs initially bore a black enamel finish, which was subsequently replaced by a more durable "black chrome" finish. 70,995 serial numbers were allotted to the Leicaflex SL.
In 1972, for the Olympic Games in Munich, an edition of 1,000 was made in chrome with special markings (the five rings, the year 72 and a three digit number).
Some Leicaflex SL for the US Navy were engraved NAVY on the bottom plate. They are reported at least in black enamel and black chrome.
On occasions, you can find a dummy Leicaflex SL with a dummy 50mm f/2 Summicron standard lens. This was a display object and demonstration model for retailers, and is called 'Attrappe' in German, which means 'mockup.' They did not have a serial number.
The Leicaflex SL Mot
The Leicaflex SL Mot was a variant of the Leicaflex SL that could take a motor drive, and lacked the self-timer and the meter switch in the advance lever. The SL Mot was mostly produced in black enamel and later black chrome, but chrome examples do exist. The motor drive was as large as the camera body itself, marked LEICAFLEX MOTOR, and was probably only made in black. 980 serial numbers were allotted to the Leicaflex SL Mot. It seems that some were used by the NASA and have NASA engravings.Leicaflex Lens Modifications
While the addition of full aperture TTL metering on the Leicaflex SL was good from a usability standpoint, an unfortunate result was that Leitz had to make a slight modification to the lens mount, by adding a new cam to communicate aperture information from the lens to the body. The lenses for the original Leicaflex are therefore referred to as "one-cam" lenses, while those for the SL and the later SL2 are referred to as "two-cam" lenses. Leitz subsequently added a third cam to permit automation with the Leica R3Leica R3
The Leica R3 was a 35mm SLR camera by Leica.Leica launched the Leica R3 in 1976. It was the successor of the Leicaflex SL2, and was developed in cooperation with Minolta, together with the Minolta XE bodies....
and later cameras, giving rise to "three-cam" lenses. All the lenses are mechanically similar and can mount on older or newer bodies, with a few exceptions, although the older lenses cannot use the full potential of the exposure metering systems and automation offered by the later bodies. To this day, however, Leica and its service agents offer a service to add the second and third cams to older lenses to permit compatibility with more recent reflex models.
External links
- Leicaflex SL manual at Camera Instruction Manuals Online Leicaflex SL and SL2 at Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura Leicaflex SL review by Doug Herr at photo.net
- Leicaflex SL review at KB Camera History of the Leica SLR cameras in the Leica SLR website by Christoph Ozdoba Black Leicaflex SL in perfect condition at www.overgaard.dk List of Leica SLR serial numbers at Cameraquest Leicaflex SL at summilux.net Leicaflex SL in the website of Hugo Rodriguez Leicaflex SL at R Leica Fan Club website
- Leicaflex SL at Nagoya's Camera Club
- Leicaflex SL Mot NASA at Map Camera Museum Chinese forum thread with pictures of a Navy Leicaflex SL